SCRANTON - A Diocese of Scranton priest was charged with open lewdness and consuming alcohol at a Bradford County park, officials said Thursday.

The Rev. Daniel J. Doherty, who has been working as an assistant pastor in Tunkhannock and Lake Winola, was charged after he and a woman were involved in a lewd act at Wyalusing Borough Park, according to a diocese news release. He also has served as an assistant pastor at St. John the Evangelist and Sacred Heart in Wilkes-Barre from 1994-1997 and at St. Rose in Carbondale from 1997-1999.

Police in Laceyville, who are investigating the case, could not be reached late Thursday.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton, removed Father Doherty's ability to exercise ministry pending the results of the investigation.

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